Coronavirus: latest public health information

The government has issued advice for the public to follow to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and tips on how people can protect themselves from infection.

Coronavirus presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough or difficulty breathing. Anyone with any concerns is advised to follow NHS advice or call NHS 111.

Similar to the ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ campaign used for flu and norovirus, the public are advised to follow important hygiene practices, such a regularly washing hands, and always sneezing into a tissue, to stop the spread of viruses.

The public are also advised to:

Always carry tissues and use them to catch coughs and sneezes, and bin the tissue

Wash hands with soap and water, or use sanitiser gel, to kill germs

People who have travelled back from the Hubei province in China within the last 14 days are being asked to:

Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu

Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere else in China (not including Macao or Hong Kong) to the UK in the last 14 days and develops symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath should immediately self-isolate, even if symptoms are minor, and call NHS 111.